Landuse/Land cover dynamics study in Nilgiris district part of Western Ghats, Tamilnadu

Rapid Landuse and Land cover dynamics were investigated in the Nilgiris district of Tamilnadu State during the periods 1973–2009 by the combined use of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) techniques. Landsat-MSS, Landsat-TM and IRS-P6LISS III satellite imageries were used to assess the Landuse and Land cover changes through visual interpretation techniques. The detailed analysis has revealed that the area under forest and settlement increased 9.35 km² and 1.02 km² every year for the past 36 years respectively. Whereas the forest plantation, tea plantation, barren rocky land and agro-horticulture shows a considerable declining for the period of 36 years. Encouragement of tourism and industrial development has altered the natural system ofNilgiris environment. The Nilgiris today is the most industrialized and commercialized hill area in the state. The rabid commercialization without corresponding improvements in infrastructures and amenities has long begun to strain the carrying capacity of the hills.